When should i pay my contractors

[Rose Davis]

Should a contractor receive 75% up front or should they be paid in smaller increments?

[Chris Christianson]

BOTH parties here are trying to run a business.  I would not take a job for a person unwilling (or possibly, unable) to pay a reasonable deposit.  For me, it depends on the job.  I've never asked for 75% but if it's a small job like a standard bathroom or a roof, I usually ask for 50% down to put them on the schedule and the remainder when the job's complete.  If it's a larger job like a whole house, I prefer going 30/30/30/10 but there are lots of ways to make it fair.  I had a dirtbag realtor stiff me for $12k on a $32k job once so holding a large percentage to the end will never happen again.  Of course, I have a much better contract now also.  That said, my client is also taking a risk so it's only fair that we spread it out between us a bit.